HeadRush MX5 – Guitar Amp and Multi Effect Modelling Processor with Touch Screen, Expression Pedal, Looper, Audio Interface for Guitarists and Bassists
Featuring a finely-tuned multi-core processor and 4” high-resolution touch display, the HeadRush MX5 is an easy to use and realistic-sounding guitar FX and amp modeling processor which enables you to touch, swipe and drag-and-drop to instantly create and edit your perfect tone in an unprecedentedly realistic and intuitive way.
It features gapless preset changes with reverb and delay tail spillover to ensure your rig changes sound seamless, a built-in looper with 20 minutes of record time and the ability to load custom impulse response files as well as exclusive original effects that can’t be found anywhere else. MX5 is packed with a versatile library of 46-amp models, 15 cabinets with 10 microphone emulations, 300 IR’s, and 63 premium FX as well as featuring additional Headrush FX, and will continue to be expanded with regular firmware updates that add features based on user feedback.
Utilize the MX5’s Hands-Free Edit Mode, allowing you to Adjust any parameter mid-song without having to stop playing. Adjust, select the parameter, and then use the built-in expression pedal with toe-switch and adjustable tension to fine-tune your settings.
MX5 has all of the connections you need to handle any performance scenario. With a ¼-inch guitar in, 2 switchable ¼-inch TRS outs, a 1/8-inch headphone out, 5-Pin MIDI in/out via 2 1/8″”-to-MIDI adapters, ¼-inch stereo FX loop and ¼-inch TRS in for external expression pedal, MX5 easily integrates with your existing set up.
Tailor your sound to any space; whether it’s a venue or rehearsal space, fine tune your presents to ensure you sound great and complement the acoustic characteristics of any environment. Whatever your space demands, MX5 delivers, letting you quickly apply some corrective equalization to your main ¼” outputs and all of your presets without permanently altering them.
You can even Record and Reamp via the Built-in 24-bit 96 kHz Audio Interface when the HeadRush MX5 is connected to your computer.
The idea behind this unit is brilliant but there were several things about it that disappointed me. I sent mine back almost immediately but if they ironed out the wrinkles I’d consider buying it again despite the price.
I really liked the interface and the touch screen functions, especially the ability to move virtual pedals around, however I found the amp heads unusually bright and harsh and none of the drive settings amp or pedal, seemed as natural as some of my cheaper units. I did a proper pedal switch comparison with other units with similar heads/settings and it wasn’t my imagination!
I also felt that with a unit of this power, the phaser could have had more viable parameters (my cheaper Zoom does) and I couldn’t find any range settings on the Wah? Perhaps it was there but I had a good look. I was very impressed by the harmoniser – no lag, very accurate and a good sound. Don’t need those very often though. The idea behind this unit IS the way forward for me, but I think they need to get some of the basics better sorted before I’d consider using one.
If you are a fan of Nux, they have recently launched the all new Nux MG 400 which, in many ways, is as powerful as the Headrush MX5 but at a much cheaper price. Here’s a complete review of the NUX MG-400 Multi Effects Pedal.